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Emri races up to the river, and takes a wild leap over it in an effort to bring the fight over to Vilree!
Then she winds up and unleashes a flurry of blows at the horrible elf woman!
Seeing Throkk engaged with the alchemical behemoth and Emri and Sool engaged with Vilree, Morsun realizes that he doesn't have the time to be sneaky if he's going to be able to help. He runs to the edge of the river and jumps!
"Finally!" he grouses as he celebrates a rare hit.
Sool turns to Vilree and unleashes a little damage of his own.
Emri races up to the river, and takes a wild leap over it in an effort to bring the fight over to Vilree! Then she winds up and unleashes a flurry of blows at the horrible elf woman!
Seeing Throkk engaged with the alchemical behemoth and Emri and Sool engaged with Vilree, Morsun realizes that he doesn't have the time to be sneaky if he's going to be able to help. He runs to the edge of the river and jumps!
Sazen casts Heal on Sool as a second level spell.
Throkk closes in once more as it's distracted by Morson and starts hacking off anything that could be a head leaving a pile of gore between him and the dwarf.
Rage and frustration war on Vilree's face as she moves away from Emri. With Sool fully healed she focuses her attention on Throkk.
Sool
Emri
Morson
Sazen
Throkk -34
Vilree AC22 HP -25
Offering a quick nod of acknowledgement to Throkk's work (and then wincing when he catches on fire), Morsun moves towards Vilree and begins the process of disembowling her.
Sazen casts Heal on Throkk as a second level spell.
"Hey, get over here!" Emri exclaims, dashing over to pummel Vilree again.
Sool runs forward and leaps into the water to attempt to douse both the fire and acid damage from Vilree’s bombs.
"Hey, get over here!" Emri exclaims, dashing over to pummel Vilree again.
Offering a quick nod of acknowledgement to Throkk's work (and then wincing when he catches on fire), Morsun moves towards Vilree and begins the process of disembowling her.
Throkk grins at Sazen before charging off...
Backed into a corner with foes off all sizes Vilree doesn't see the attack that kills her coming.
It was a close fought thing but the group of unlikely heroes had put an end to the misguided woman and her quest for revenge.
Alchemical crossbow
Belt pouch (2 pp, 38 gp, 4 sp)
Bracers of missile deflection
daggers (2)
key
leather armor
lesser potion of fire resistance
lesser juggernaut mutagen
lesser stone body mutagen
+1 striking dagger
moderate acid energy mutagen
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Morsun raises his dagger to stab her once more in bloodlust, but ends up just sighing, looking down on Vilree in a weird mix of frustration and disappointment, and then walking away.
Later, when the key on her body is discovered, he looks around for what it could be for.
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Sool emerges from the dank dirty pool looking like a soaked cat. "Well, that's that, I suppose." he says, a trifle bitterly. He looks down on the exsanguinating elven woman and ponders her in silence for a while. It was his first really good look at her.
"I suppose we should bury her. Or cart her back to town."
"You know, I suppose technically no one owns this place any more. I think it's probably ours if we want it. If one can think of a reason to live in this dismal backwater. Still, she had nice armchairs. And the local orcs seem to have been cleared out for the moment. It might not be a bad place to settle down and work on my next book."
He starts collecting up her various possessions that will fit comfortably into his satchel.
Sazen tries one of the armchairs.
Yeah, good furniture. Hmm. Well, I have been sort of regretting my career choice lately. Maybe I'll stay for a while, since no one is using this place, and study up on something else.
... Keeping out of your way while you write, of course
she adds so that Sool doesn't do that unhappy sputtering thing he sometimes did.
I do. I mean, I don't regret having faith or religion in my life... not that. But I suppose I feel like my efforts to share that with others, well... I don't think I am cut out for that. Not good at it, and I find that although of course I don't want anyone to die, when faced with evil I'd rather know how to do more about it than keep someone else on their feet... if that makes any sense.
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...when faced with evil I'd rather know how to do more about it than keep someone else on their feet... if that makes any sense.
Sool glances away and thinks about this for about 3 seconds.
"No, not really." he says abruptly, shrugging. "It seems to me you could easily do both."
He plucks at the remaining shreds of his acid-soaked and incinerated robe. "Ruined. How positively tragic."
"I do know something about growing dissatisfied with one's life and seeking new paths. When you live as long as an elf, it's practically inevitable that eventually you find yourself --played out, shall we say? Loneliness and emptiness and regrets..."
He stops himself, then looks back at Sazen a little imperiously. "But I suppose when one lives as briefly as one of you mayflies, it doesn't pay to dawdle about in a profession you don't enjoy. I'm sure you'll come up with something." He's still fiddling with his robe. "Do you have a needle and thread? Perhaps I could patch it..."
Sazen helps him repair his robe with a mending cantrip, and then selects an interesting book from the shelves, settles into a comfortable chair, and starts reading.
It was an interesting thought. She did wish she had a longer life. She wondered if there was a way to polymorph yourself into an elf, or some other way to extend your life. But definitely not wise to play into Sool's sense of superiority, so she just started reading.
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"I wasn't a good fit for the life I had, and I almost waited too long to do anything about it on my own terms.
"Nah, scratch that; I did wait too long. I was forced out. But it's different for dwarves.
"Anyway, life has been harder, in a way, after making a change like that. But it was still worth it."
Morsun stands nearby examining the key he found on Vilree, still trying to figure out what it could lead to. Or maybe he's just waiting to see if anyone will respond.
"Anyway, this place is a s%$&hole. If you two are staying here, you'll need someone who can fix it up some. And maybe there's a cart here so we can take her body back to Plaguest-- er, Etran's Folly. She was their problem; they should deal with her remains."
Defeating Vilree and saving the town of Etran’s Folly completely
clears the group and the members of Bort’s caravan of any suspicion of Bort’s murder. Sheriff Rolth is impressed that the strangers did so much to help the tiny community. Delma lets them stay at the Feedmill, free of charge, for as long as they like, and any tab they might have acquired is wiped away.
If word is spread of your groups intent to set up in the lair of the vanquished villain thankful villagers offer up a few simple comforts... though well intentioned this mostly involves turnips. At least your larder will be stocked for some time. Still some materials for repairs will also be useful.
Tamli invites you all to attend a proper funeral for Bort before the caravan moves on. "Thank you for avenging Bort. Obviously he was up to some business we didn't know about but he was always kind to us. You deserve a proper reward and no offense to the locals but I am sure you'd like something that didn't involve the word turnip. Bort had a few magical rings, I think it reasonable if each of ye take one."
BORT’S BLESSING ITEM 5
RARE DIVINATION INVESTED
Price 160 gp
Usage worn; Bulk —
This ornate copper band has a small ruby set in the center, flanked by a pair of dwarven runes. The wearer of this ring gains the ability to understand, read, and speak one common language of their choice, selected each morning as part of their daily preparations. In addition, the wearer receives a +1 item bonus to Diplomacy checks to Make an Impression.
MERCHANT’S GUILE ITEM 5
UNCOMMON ENCHANTMENT INVESTED
Price 160 gp
Usage worn; Bulk —
The band of this ring is made from bluecolored iron and has two sharp, decorative protrusions on each side of the red-stone inlay. It feels quite heavy and reliable.
Wearing this ring grants you a +2 item bonus to Deception and Diplomacy checks, but only if the associated checks involve haggling or bargaining over a purchase or trade.
Activate[[three-actions](envision, interact); Effect You can determine if an item is magical simply by handling it. You detect no other indication of its power, only whether or not it is magical, granting the effects of a 1st-level detect magic spell that affects only the object.
RING OF MINOR ARCANA ITEM 5
UNCOMMON ARCANE EVOCATION INVESTED
Price 160 gp
Usage worn; Bulk —
This rose-gold ring is adorned in the center by a somewhat ominous-looking horned skull. This ring gives you the power to cast the following innate arcane cantrips any number of times each day: detect magic, mage hand, and prestidigitation. Each is cast as a 1st-level spell.
If you are an arcane spellcaster, these can instead be heightened to the level of your cantrips.
RING OF THE WEARY TRAVELER ITEM 5
UNCOMMON TRANSMUTATION INVESTED
Price 160 gp
Usage worn; Bulk —
This fanciful golden ring has an ornate band cast with delicate, swirling decorations and is inlaid with three bright-green emeralds. While wearing this ring, you gain a +10-foot item bonus to your Speed, but only when determining your overland movement per hour.
Activate [three-actions] (envision, interact); Effect
You refresh yourself from fatigue. For 10 minutes, you can ignore the penalties from the fatigued condition. This does not remove the condition, it merely suppresses the penalties and drawbacks of having the condition. If something would cause you to become fatigued again while the ring’s power is in effect, the suppression ends, and you immediately take the penalties again.
STALWART’S RING ITEM 5
UNCOMMON NECROMANCY INVESTED
Price 160 gp
Usage worn; Bulk —
This fairly simple ring has no gemstone inlaid, but the band is cast to resembled a fanged wolf’s head. Once per day, during your daily preparations, you can meditate on this ring to grant yourself 5 temporary Hit Points.
These last until your next daily preparation, as long as you are wearing the ring.
WARRIOR’S TRAINING RING ITEM 5
UNCOMMON DIVINATION INVESTED
Price 160 gp
Usage worn; Bulk —
This ring is utilitarian in design—indicating its martial use. Its band is decorated only with a simple, sharp-edged sculpture on the band’s center. While wearing this ring, you add your level to your attack rolls with all weapons with which you are untrained.
Activate [free-action] (envision); Frequency once per day; Trigger You make an attack with a weapon in which you’re untrained;
Effect You gain a +2 circumstance bonus to the attack roll. If you are an expert in any weapon, you instead gain a +4 circumstance bonus to the attack roll.
Sazen will select the Ring of Minor Arcana, although she admires the other rings as well, torn between that and the Bort's Blessing ring as she is making a selection.
Morsun will select the Ring of the Weary Traveler.
Reporting for duty!
A group of friends, two brothers and an aspiring Hell Knight have all been hired by a merchant in Kintargo. Whether it be the lure of gold or calling in a favour you have agreed to travel to the town of Crooked Cove to investigate a manor.
The merchant Rufus Kargos has been contacted by the new government and apparently is the heir of the defunct House Xarwin and legal owner of Xarwin Manor located in the illomened ghost town of Crooked Cove by the sea. Keen to either sell on or perhaps even take residence he is concerned by the tales of the area being cursed so has invested in a band of adventurers investigate the site and deal with any threats. Any contents of the building are for you to divide up as you will on completion of the task before you.
As you make your way through Crooked Cove the buildings are in a state of disrepair, overgrown in many areas. A raven watches your group as you walk down the winding road your map assures leads the the manor you see looming in the distance.
Niven will look up at the raven. People said that they were harbingers of the dead, spies for witches, the ghosts of murdered lovers, or bringers of good fortune.
But sometimes a bird is just a bird.
Still, he pulled out some dried berries and tossed them towards the ground under the raven.
"Do you want pigeon s#!+? Because that's how you get pigeon s+!~."
Morsun eyes the run down structures in this human town he now found himself in. One of the downsides of building things outside of a mountain is how exposed to the elements they got.
"Maybe it doesn't matter here," he mutters.
Sazen considers shooting the bird, in case it is someone's familiar or object of scrying, but decides she is being paranoid and leaves it alone.
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The closer the party came to Xarwin manor, the more excited Quisillo was getting. Could they really be on their way to a cursed town? He had been promised haunted houses and ghostly apparitions before, but each and every one had ended in disappointment; a silly prank that went too far or a trick of the light with annoyingly mundane explanations. This was such an opportunity!
As the manor comes into view, the young gnome's eyes can hardly leave its walls; it is only with Morsun's sudden exclamation, that his attention comes back to his companions, and to the bird watching them.
Well, that's a good sign Quisillo says brightly. Then noticing Morsun's morose tone, he adds You don't like this place? It's quite promising, I think!
Merlin Brokencrown watches the feeding of the raven by Niven. The Armiger only shakes his helmeted head.
Perhaps, the raven may spread word of its fortune. We may find a flock once our investigation is done.
The aspiring Signifier turns his attention to the house in the distance. He smiles.
My studies of the Occult may be tested most certainly.
Niven continues to engage in banter as they approach. "I wouldn't let the bird hear you comparing him to pidgeon, Morsun. Ravens have pride. If we do get a flock, it would be a sign that the haunting is lifted. Unless they have red eyes..."
Morsun squints at the raven as they walk past.
"How can you even tell," he mutters, but he's not really asking.
The raven descended to eat the morsels of food thrown... it cawed angrily as another raven descended to steal it's new treasure...
In 4642 Construction of Xarwin Manor is completed; Ioseff and Asethanna move in. Marney and Mira Xarwin are born.
In 4657 the family dies... within a year Crooked Cove is abandoned amidst claims of ghosts and visions.
Quisillo turns to Niven as the second raven appears.
I hope not. I would be terrible if we had traveled all this way and didn't even see a ghost. I'm sure ravens can live in a cursed town he adds, with a mix of hope and uncertainty in his voice.
You seem eager, Quisillo, but please be wary. Ghosts are not always the harmless visions of loved ones that people talk of. I have made particular study of this, and I assure you they can be deadly.
She idly pets her fire leopard with a special fireproof glove that she had made specifically for the purpose.
Niven nods his agreement. "Oh, if they were merely visions, they wouldn't be hiring people like us to visit them." He pats a couple of vials at his belt. They seem empty, but then you catch a hint of of shimmer within. "But I've got something to deal with ghosts that won't stay quiet."
You have seen a ghost before, Sazen? Been able to study them in person? What was it like?
Eventually realizing Sazen's unease with his unchecked interest, Quisillo then adds mode calmly:
And yes... I'll be careful. Or if I'm not, I'm sure that Niven will let me know. I do not trust ghosts, you know. I am just... interested, as I have never encountered one myself. My mother always said, a novelty a day keeps the Bleaching at bay.
Merlin's blue eyes never leave the sight line of the approaching manor.
Ioseff Xarwin betrayed his family to earn the favour of house Thrune during their ascendency. For this he earns the title of Paracount and shortly after weds Asethanna Arvanxi in 4641.
In 4642 Construction of Xarwin Manor is completed; Ioseff and Asethanna move in. Marney and Mira Xarwin are born.
In 4657 the family dies... within a year Crooked Cove is abandoned amidst claims of ghosts and visions.
The Armiger grins in eagerness.
My studies of the Occult while in training was for this purpose. This should be exciting.
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Sazen smiles and responds to Quisillo.
I was a ghost myself, once, I suppose you could say. Coming back from that experience has made me respect the cycle of life and death a lot more. That is why I am now dedicated to fighting the evil undead. Interest is good; it gives us the impetus to learn. I just wanted to make sure you also had caution in mind.
... I read of an account once where a ghost led a woman to a necklace, which the daughter saw as a cherished gift from her dear departed mother. When she put it on, however, she realized she couldn't take it off. She then panicked, realizing the ghost was not her mother after all, and she was dead in less than 10 seconds, strangled by the necklace.
Niven looks at her, and a tension he didn't realize he had slips away. "Oh, that explains a lot. I'm sorry, but my mind kept trying to figure out how a human got herself bleached."
he turns to his brother and ruffles his hair. "Oh, I'm always looking out for Quis-Quis. And he's always pulling me off on grand adventures. Between us we make a great team."
Of course! says Quisillo, shaking his head.
With bright eyes fixed on Sazen, he adds
That's... so... cool! That you were a ghost, I mean. That other story is pretty sad.
As Niven ruffles his hair, he tries giving him an annoyed look, that however quickly turns into a smile.
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Morsun looks at Sazen as she reveals this information about herself.
"Huh. I thought you just didn't get outside enough."
A chipper little halfling walks along with the group. Incredibly pale, with shoulder length blonde hair so light it's nearly white, and red makeup around her eyes, cheeks, and the tops of her hands, it's obvious the little waif comes from the far north, where the sun rarely shines and the weather is cold. She's dressed in a red wool coat, with a high collar, buttoned up over her clothes, and a jaunty red knitted cap atop her head. The hem of her knee-length green dress, trimmed with fine embroidery, peeks out from under her coat, along with her black breeches, that reach barely past her knees. Despite her apparent warm clothing, her hairy feet are bare.
Emri hums to herself as they continue down the road, then grins at the glum turn their conversation had taken. "Dour as ever, Morsun! Remember what I first told you? Give me a room, a bed, and a meal, and I'm fine!" With a dimpled smile she leans over to the gnomes, "He's a sweetheart, I promise." Then she raises her voice and continues chattering away. "Haunted or not, I bet this place has all of that! ...Though, I admit I brought my own food! Never eat food offered by undead or you'll never leave again! That's what my grandma used to say!"
Emri cocks her head to the side and taps her chin in thought. " ...Or was that fey..." She shrugs. "Whatever."
She tips her head at Sazen and whistles. "I still can't believe you trained that firecat so well! Seems like only yesterday ol' Burny was trying to claw our faces off..."
Her stomach rumbles. "Speaking of clawing faces off. Am I the only one that thinks that raven looks delicious? Seriously. When was the last time we stopped to eat? I'm famished!" She pulls a sweet roll out from her pack and takes a big bite. Through her stuffed mouth, she looks at Merlin. "So, what's your story, pal? You as serious as that armor makes you look?"
Well, her former owner didn't take care of her very well, and she was grumpy from the starvation. Now that we have all of that under control, she's happy.
...I believe we ate just over an hour ago. And no, the raven doesn't look very appetizing. Plucking feathers out of my food to get at so little meat? No thanks. Reeks of effort. Although, if you want it, I can shoot it for you. Burny might even be able to burn off the feathers... although you still might be able to taste the feather ash in the scorch marks, so not sure if that sounds appetizing.
Hmm, I tried that once. The meat was very stringy. Wouldn't recommend it. But you gotta make your own mistakes, I guess.
Turning toward Sazen and Burny, Quisillo then adds
Where is Burny coming from? I didn't realize that you had just finished training her. And... does she mind being used as a cooking fire? That's handy, but I wouldn't want to be rude.
Then with a blink, he turns back towards Emri, smiling.
Some fey food is dangerous. But if I cook for all of us, I swear you won't be trapped. Well, not by me, anyway. Who knows what that manor will do...
Emri considers the culinary advice of Sazen and Quisillo, tipping her head back and forth. "I don't think I'd mind the feathers. Of course, I've never been a picky eater." At the words 'cook for us' Emir's eyes brighten, and thoughts of the raven flee her mind. "Are you a good cook, Quisillo? And by good I mean generous with the portions!"
Merlin's blue eyes turn to regard Emri.
My family is from Westcrown. Each generation boosts at least one full Hellknight. My family has been serving for generations.
The Knight waves in the direction of the manor.
I have studied Haunts and the Occult, so this is my opportunity to prove my mettle. It is very exciting.
The youth then smiles at the halfling.
The armor is serious, but I am only mostly serious. Probably why I feel I need a big find for my Superiors to take notice.
He winks.
"Oh, he's good with the portions. But you might need to get used to the flavor combinations. He's always trying out something new, but it usually works." he says with pride over his little brother.
That's the fun of cooking! You can experiment, and mostly you aren't at risk of killing anyone. Much better than when I tried alchemy. Dad really didn't like that... Quisillo says with a sparkle in his eyes.
Then, turning to Merlin, he adds
Ah, so you are hoping for ghosts too! Your superiors... what do they want you to do here?
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Merlin smiles at Quisillo.
My superiors expect a successful inspection, cataloging and exercising of the manor. I shall make my reports, as we investigate and return to Westcrown after we complete our mission.
Well... says Quisillo, taking a bit of dried meat from his pack, As Emri already started, why don't we take a quick snack here, then see what wonders we find inside the house?